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NBC News chairman Andrew Lack said in a memo to staff that it was the first complaint lodged against Lauer in his career at the network. But he said "we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident."

Savannah Guthrie said she is "heartbroken" for Lauer, who she called her "partner."

Matt Lauer has been terminated from NBC News. On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer. As a result, we’ve decided to terminate his employment. pic.twitter.com/1A3UAZpvPb

"He is beloved by many, many people here," Guthrie said. "I am heartbroken for the brave colleague who came forward to tell her story, and any other women who have their own stories to tell."

Hoda Kotb, on the set with Guthrie, said she has known Lauer for years and "loved him as a friend and a colleague."

Later in the day, Variety published a story detailing three women's accounts of Lauer's behavior at NBC. The publication says the stories of harassment were corroborated by friends and colleagues throughout the two-month investigation.

One co-host said Lauer bought her a sex toy with a note about how he'd like to use it on her; another says he summoned an employee to office, dropped his pants and showed his penis to her; the third said the host loved to play a crass quiz game, identifying co-hosts he's most like to sleep with. The women wished to remain unnamed for now.

Lauer is the latest high-profile man in media to be brought down by allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior. Just last week, CBS News fired one of its own morning anchors, Charlie Rose, after a report in The Washington Post chronicled years of alleged sexual misconduct on his part.

The torrent began when The New York Times and The New Yorker reported on allegations against the Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

Since then, actors Kevin Spacey and Louis C.K. have been suspended or removed from projects after allegations against them became public. And other prominent journalists, including Mark Halperin of NBC and Michael Oreskes of NPR, have been fired or suspended from their jobs.

The firing of Lauer removes one of the most recognizable personalities on television at a time when morning news programs are increasingly important to network news divisions.

"This is a sad morning at 'Today' and NBC News," Guthrie said at the top of the 7 a.m. hour. "As I'm sure you can understand, we are devastated. I'm heartbroken for Matt."

Guthrie also said she was heartbroken for the woman who accused Lauer of misconduct, noting "it's long overdue" that women feel comfortable coming forward against abusive men.

Hoda Kotb, on the set with Guthrie, said she has known Lauer for years and "loved him as a friend and a colleague."

"It's hard to reconcile the man who walks in every day" with the person who was identified in the complaint, she said.

Lauer, 59, was named a co-anchor of "Today" in January 1997 after three years as the newsreader.